Bmw Airhead Oil Change How-To

In this video, we walk you through the basics of an oil change on a BMW Airhead motorcycle.
Specifically, we'll change the oil on an R80/7, but most of the steps translate to 90% of the airheads.
Comment, subscribe, and let me know what you think!

[@johnhoulihan8986]

I like it when people get straight down to business and present well without the need of distracting crap music. Tip about O-Ring and torque values also welcome. Well done and greetings from Ireland!

[@seanlarsen80]

First time air head owner. Thank you for the video!!!

[@darylj4739]

Just purchased a 1977 R100/7 and, thanks to your video, I now feel confident enough to get this job done. Thanks a lot! Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa.

[@josephgeoghegan7915]

I had the oil filter cover gasket split . They are quite delicate. I was out touring in Ireland and my buddy noticed that my rear tyre was getting coated with oil. Top marks for observation ! So, we bought some hylomar blue liquid gasket and then thoroughly cleaned the mating surface and applied the blue. It worked perfectly. It stayed until the next time I changed the filter. The machining is so good on the mating surfaces that the paper gasket is in effect a weak link. I still use a paper gasket but I know deep down that a liquid gasket is better here. My Laverda Jota crankcase use a liquid gasket between the crankcase halves and no paper gasket at all.

[@MorningNapalm]

Thanks for the funnel colour tip, I was not previously aware of that.

[@AsheCrow]

Was afraid to do it by myself but your video give me confidence to go ahead. As soon as the pieces arrive I will get to work. Thank you very much!

[@ianbestor1528]

Just got an '80 R100. Not familiar with BMW at all so this is a great start to dive-in on the Boxer engine. thanks

[@lewsoltis5142]

Your video is great and gave me the confidence to do the oil change on my 1978 BMW r100/7. Your cautions on the O-ring are very valuable and much appreciated. Thank you very much!!!

[@jamesoulton4878]

Great video. Saw your latest video ‘packed up’. Please keep doing more videos! Really enjoyed them!

[@steril18]

Nice, straight to the point, and super useful. Thanks for the video.

[@peterbell9683]

Excellent! Well said and well done... I'll make sure I've got the right kit for my R100GS Bumblebee and take it from there. Love these expert sanity checks. Thank you!

[@winstonchurchhill3264]

Thanks . Greetings from Portsmouth England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 .

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

Thanks for tuning in David!

[@3ddiy]

It might be helpful to some. I just found out with a filter change you would need 2.25 quarts of oil. But going by your recommendation of stoping at 1.9 and checking it and running it works to add more and airs on the side of caution.

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

2.25 is the target. the only reason i go a little light is i've found jumping straight to 2.25 sometimes leads me to being a bit overfull. i'm probably a bit impatient waiting for it to drain though. cheers!

[@Nolek72]

Great video, very well done! Thanks!

[@mikelmoral-salar5452]

Great Video! Very few likes however. I wish I could give you a hundred ones!! Thanks a lot!

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

Thanks Mikel!!! i should really get motivated to shoot some more videos soon

[@yesmichaels4571]

thanks used this for a reference on my new to me R100/7

[@062809]

Thanks , I have the same bike , same color, now I need the color matching funnel 😀. Ride Safe.

[@ianhodges8112]

Very useful video thank you

[@BackwardTelevision]

I have just put my shim on the other side of the O-ring. ie. against the cover. The bike did not have a shim on al all when I got it. Also I am told to leave the gasket off, as this compressed the O-ring more. Tony -

[@fatherdougalmcguire9129]

first class mate

[@autumncarroll7673]

Love this walk-through! I've watched it three times so far. One question I have is do you recommend putting a bit of oil on the "$2000 O-ring" before installation, to create better seal? Or is this not a good idea? Cheers!!

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

As a general rule of thumb I typically apply a little bit of motor oil to any O-ring installed. This would be no different. Because of its location, it would pretty much immediately see oil anyway though, so even if you forget you should be fine

[@autumncarroll7673]

@@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828 Thank you!

[@assessor1276]

Very nice video!

[@richardmancini9211]

Great video but looking for some assistance. 1978 R80/7, removed oil filter and it is single instead of hinge dual filter. Max BMW parts catalog recommended hinge. Your video made it seem they are not interchangeable? What are your thoughts? Going to wash off filter shortly and order based on parts stamp, if it is legible.

[@jonathan-qf4ws]

Great vid chees

[@jessdyba]

Where did you get filter/gasket kit?

[@pierrehome-douglas7785]

Thanks for the video. You're working on an R80/7. I have a 1976 R/90. Does it also need the O ring?

[@Hodado]

Well done

[@officersteven]

What do you recommend I have a 78 R80/7 first time doing the oil change on it.. never worked on motorcycles but plenty of cars lol this video was on point!!

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

Nice! 78 would call for exactly this procedure. Dive in bud! If you need parts sources i can add them to the video description.

[@hunterplax7081]

Do you have a link for where you can purchase the oil filter kit?

[@D3vtsb]

Hi Matt. See you got the R90x big brakes kit as well! Could you show off your bike in your next vid? I am making the same conversion on my 100/7 next month. Cheers

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

I can for sure Davioo. this bike is actually a customers, but i'm doing a handlebar swap soon and can do a quick overview. its a nice survivor. you'll love the R90x brake setup. its an incredible upgrade.

[@D3vtsb]

@@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828 cheers!

[@mikefroehler5538]

@@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828 SWEET!! I have a 78 R80/7 with the original ATE single setup. I've had to switch from drinkin beer out of cans to bottles cuz I keep crushing the cans!!! Would love to see / hear more about this R09x swap.

[@mikefroehler5538]

@@D3vtsb Good Aye Aarhus!

[@thestupidwolf7438]

How much oil does it go in? (In ml)

[@OldCarsAreFun]

nice tattoo

[@shingerz]

Great video im purchasing one of these bikes a 1979 model so that's the correct oil 20 /50 and how many quarts is it in litres

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

The oil capacity really varies depending on what version you have r65/r75/r80/r90/r100. I highly recommend checking out bmwmotorcycletech.info for specs.

[@shingerz]

@@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828 its an r80/7

[@bradbanaszynski676]

Question. I have an earlier series 1975 R60/6. Don't believe the white o-ring is applicable to my oil change process. Do you have any knowledge on that?

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

It is not part of the original parts fiche for the 75 R60, however it is commonly recommended that you use it anyway. Check maxbmw fiche for details

[@jonpage4029]

Does the filter have an inside and outside direction or is it exactly the same on both ends? Thanks

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

One side has a recessed metal cap, the other has a protruding rubber cap. The recessed metal cap side faces the outside of the bike and interfaces with the oil filter cover.

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

(This does vary depending on your model however. The parts fiche is super clear though)

[@terry5935]

Jaso ma2 is not needed

[@fingerscrossedmotomatt8828]

In this application you’re correct. Generally I recommend that all the time just so people get used to not smoking their wet clutches though